Devon Cricket Board - Bradninch welcome back old boy Hawkins

Bradninch welcome back old boy Hawkins

By a SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
BRADNINCH Cricket Club made a return to nets when two lanes were booked at the Devon Cricket Centre.
In keeping with the recent stormy weather the players were forced to battle gale-force winds and driving rain as they made the dash with kit bags from the car park into the dry of the impressive cricket centre.
Both 1st XI skipper Tim Piper and 2nd XI captain Bryn Jones were on duty as was 2nd X1 team manager Rob Acton together with Ross Acton, Dan Hardy, Andy Nicholls, new signing Craig Hawkins, Mark Perrott, Will Birley, Derrick Foan, Liam Reed and Matt Hartshorn.
There was a good work out with Hardy looking in impressive touch with the bat whilst it was good to welcome back Hawkins after the former Kensham Park player had spent a number of years with neighbouring Cullompton CC.
The evergreen Andy Nicholls was also on parade – this, despite the fact that, (whisper it quietly, he qualifies for a bus pass in a couple of months time!), he had already spent two hours at the Devon Cricket Centre earlier in the day facing former Bradninch skipper and now captain at Budleigh Salterton Joel Murphy!
Two teenagers were on duty, year 11 pupil at Clyst Vale, Liam Reed and 14-year-old Cully School pupil Will Birley – the latter showing clear signs that the Saturday afternoon sessions at the centre with Steve Rowe are clearly playing dividends.
Although the turn-out was less than hoped for, though a huge factor was the ‘storm’ that hit the area on the night and hopes are high that two or three more may attend the next session.
Sessions are being held at the centre (7-8pm) each Tuesday evening for the next couple of months.
New players will be made very welcome at the sessions.

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773